According to Dave Littlejohns, Managing Director of design and manufacturing company Rotork Gears: “The structure of professional registration, and the support provided by the IMechE, has bolstered the company, and enhanced each individual’s commitment to realising their full potential.”
“The expertise, knowledge, experience and capability of our engineering resource is key to our continued growth and future success.”
The Institution’s CEO Stephen Tetlow visited Rotork Leeds to hear this positive feedback recently and was able to see first-hand how professional registration is making a difference within the company.
Business Development Manager from the Institution, Denis Healy, has been working with Rotork engineers since 2012, when Jill Sigournay, a Lead Engineer, and now a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution, contacted him to discuss professional registration.
Denis said that, thanks in large part to Jill’s efforts, engineers and technicians at Rotork had gone on to embrace the benefits of professional registration. A company-based scheme is now operating with great momentum. Jill, with colleagues Matthew Knapton CEng, Principal Engineer, and Hayley Rollinson, HR Manager, has set up an Industrial Liaison Team (ILT), to encourage professional registration across the company.
Hayley and Matthew reinforced the message that, with three people on board, the ILT has great reach and effectiveness. Hayley commented: “The strength of the team at Rotork lies in its ability to engage with all levels of engineers at any point of their career path.”
Denis said: “At Rotork, Jill Sigournay has helped embed of a culture of professional registration with the IMechE, through her personal achievements and the work of the ILT. Her enthusiasm for getting professional registration off the ground is a great example of what can be accomplished by someone with a can-do approach.”
Jill said that the company presentation Denis delivered, back in 2012, had wider benefits than they had anticipated. Colleagues decided to apply as a group; interviews were held in the workplace; and people in a position to apply for EngTech were able to learn about this level of registration, especially if they had not been aware of it before.
Jill added: “Professional registration represents the opportunity to be reviewed by peers and recognised for your work as an engineer. It gives you the time to reflect on where your abilities have developed and bring into sharper focus where those skills can lead your career. Rotork has supported me all the way, emphasising both personal development and excellence in engineering.”
Dave added: “Since 2012, Rotork UK offices have seen the number of professionally registered technical staff triple, a trend which is set to continue across all divisions. This closer relationship with the IMechE reinforces Rotork’s place as one of the UK’s engineering success stories, as we continue to project our global engineering presence.”
Stephen, accompanied by Denis and Yorkshire area Chairman Steve Wainwright, recently visited over 40 Leeds-based Rotork technicians and engineers at the company’s new Brown Lane West facility. They heard technical presentations of recent innovations and developments across divisions including Gears, Site Services, Fluid Systems and Skilmatic.
The party from the Institution also met Rotork’s most recently registered Engineering Technicians, Ben Preston and Tony Wright, both of whom found the professional registration process extremely rewarding.
Ben Preston EngTech MIMechE said: “After completing the application and receiving positive feedback my confidence in my own abilities as an engineer grew.”
Tony Wright EngTech MIMechE added: “After many years working in engineering without degree level qualifications it felt good to become professionally registered. Peer recognition has now inspired me to further my learning and hopefully become an Incorporated Engineer in the future.”
Giving his impression of the visit, Stephen said he was encouraged by the investment in new capability demonstrated at the new site, the range of engineering solutions provided by each division and having received such a positive reception by all who attended. He also commended the company’s engineers for their commitment to the profession.
Thanks to the company’s engagement, a number of Rotork engineers have been inspired to apply for professional registration and will find out if they have been successful in December.
To discuss company-based professional registration, please contact your regional Business Development Manager.